Mariners held in Asian opener

Central Coast squandered a glorious late opportunity and lost its scoring touch as it started its Asian Champions League campaign with a 0-0 draw against South Korea's Suwon Bluewings at Bluetongue Stadium on Wednesday.

After 87 minutes of frustration, the Mariners were literally handed a golden chance for victory when defender Kwangsun Kwak clearly handled the ball.

Midfielder Nick Montgomery spurned the chance, as goalkeeper Sungryong Jong dived to his right to push the spot kick away.

It was the third straight penalty the Mariners have missed in games with Daniel McBreen wasting the previous two.

The A-League's highest scoring team Central Coast failed to find the net for the first time in six games, having notched 17 in its last five.

The Mariners, who were coming off a six-goal haul against Melbourne, made most of the running but created just a handful of decent on target attempts.

Suwon, which does not play its first domestic league game till this weekend, defended well.

Australian-born centre back Eddy Bosnar performed well in front of Socceroos coach Holger Osieck.

Mariners central defender Zac Anderson had the best chance of the first half, but his tame header from four metres went straight to the goalkeeper.

Pedj Bojic, Nick Fitzgerald and Michael McGlinchey all toiled hard as the Mariners pressed forward more as the half progressed.

Substitute Mitchell Duke had an almost instantaneous impact, having two chances within 60 seconds of coming on in the 63rd minute.

Duke's close range shot was pushed away by Sungryong and the youngster ballooned his follow-up attempt over the bar.

The South Korean side created some chances in the last third of the game.

Kyung Dae Kim had a shot pushed away by Mariners' goalkeeper Matt Ryan and Montgomery almost scored an own goal a few seconds later.